Good Food Policies

Having a supportive policy environment for local food production, education and health is critical. Over the years, CRFAIR has worked alongside local governments, school districts, Island Health, and other partners to ensure that sound public policy and practice is in place to enable the development of a vibrant, robust and sustainable local food system. In 2008, a Regional Food Charter was created that proposed a vision for food security and sustainability in the region.  Since then, many local governments have recognized the importance of the regional food system and integrated food systems planning into their Official Community Plans. Our regional government, the Capital Region District, has recently worked with a Food Strategy Working Group, that included CRFAIR, to develop a Regional Food and Agriculture Strategy. 

Regional Food and Agriculture Strategy Draft May 2016

CRFAIR has worked continuously to engage decision makers and guide the development of Good Food Policies for the CRD.  We have also been called upon to lead the development of stand-alone policy initiative (such as the City of Victoria Community Gardens policy and Saanich Chicken Bylaw). Positive and effective policy evolution requires research into what is happening in other jurisdictions and consideration of elements that could be adapted for our region. It also requires home grown solutions. CRFAIR is a strong contributor to this work and has developed a number of policy discussion papers and briefs.  Here are some of the most recent ones below: 

CRFAIR promotes healthy and sustainable food systems.  This considers our relationships with each other, and the land and waters of this region.  We endeavour to honour the land and its treaties by strengthening our relationship and responsibilities to them. We live and work on unceded Coast Salish Territories*, specifically of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees) and Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nations here in the core area, the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations {W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱,(Tsawout) W̱SIKEM (Tseycum)} out on the Saanich Peninsula and Gulf Islands, to the west Sc'ianew (Beecher Bay), T’Sou-ke, and Pacheedaht, and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) and Pune’laxutth’ (Penelekut) Nations.

The presence of settlers (non-Indigenous peoples who live on these lands) is not neutral; it has had and continues to have devastating impacts on many aspects of life for Indigenous peoples. Many of our practices, including the seeds we plant, the ways we educate, and our methods of growing food came to these lands through the ongoing process of colonialism. Settler colonialism has suppressed local well-being by harming Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ food systems, whether they be land-based or of the sky and sea. We hold this understanding in our interactions and engagements with this land and its people. 

There is important work being done by many nations and allies to ensure the continued thriving of these food systems, communities, and knowledge systems. Those of us who are settlers need to recognize that our knowledge and way of doing things may not be the priority as we work towards food security for everyone in this region.

* The term Coast Salish is used to encompass a number of Indigenous peoples, including Esquimalt, Hul’qumi’num, Klahoose, Lekwungen, MALAXEt, Musqueam, OStlq’emeylem, Pentlatch, Scia’new (Beecher Bay), Sliammon, Shishalh, Skxwú7mesh-ulh Úxwumixw, Stó:lo, Straits, Tsleil-Waututh, T’Sou-ke, W̱SÁNEĆ, and Xwemalhkwu.